System for producing acetylene



"Ami 235, 1946. P, PEFF 7 2,399,058;

SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING ACETYLENE Filed May 22, 1945 INVENTOR Pee er Pe/f HTTORNEY Poems Apr. as, loss irso STATES estates relapse;

SYSTEM FOR PRQDUCIN G ACETYLENE Peter $06,

Application 22, 1945, Serial No. 595,173

8Claims.

This invention relates to the production of acetylene and more particulsrly to s system of producing eoetylene which is especially adapted for a stationery installation where the acetylene produced is charged to high pressure cylinders. 5-

It is not uncommon to have what might be celled centrel plants for producing acetylene where the ecetylene is charged to cylinders. The cylinders containing the acetylene under relatively high pressure are then transported to the to piece or use. In many instances this procedure is more economical than it is to employ trnns-' portable oreven stationery acetylene generators to generate the acetylene currently as it is uwd because, among other reasons, it frequently hopis pens that a user's requirements are not sumcient to warrant the expense of maintaining e eenerator, or it may be impractical to transport pressed and charged to high pressure cylinders,

the installations usually comprise a. generutor;v

a relatively large water sealed gas holder, a water to sealed gas purifier, a. low pressure drier, a, compressor, e. high pressure drier and a cylinder, charging mnii'old. 'Ihe weter sealed gas holdera and purifiers are expensive and have other drawbsclrs, in that the water seals lreeze in cold so that if a certain percentage of air becomes mixed 35 sheet.

with acetylene, ,it will form on tune which is hazardous.

Acco to my invention, the above menerrplosive mixtinned drawbacks are eliminated as my system is closed and hes no bothersome water seals. My so drying a nursing battery F. e cylinder charssystem is nmpler and less costly in construction the bulw gas holder is entirely eliminoted. Moreover, the acetylene gas stream may be d through the closed system' under pressor discharge conduit under high pressure to a. cylinder charging manifold. Means are provided to maintain a substantially constant pressure on the gas stream entering the compressor, and in addition, means are provided which are responsive to the pressure of the gas stream going to the compressor and leaving the compres sor which will automatically-stop the compressor if for any reason there is e failure of sumcient acetylene production irom'the generator or an excess pressure on the gas stream being charged to the cylinders. Consequently, I am enabled to employ a generator which may be operated continuously to supply a continuous flow of acetylene, a constant volume conduit from the generator to the compremor' which includes purifiers and driers in series, thus eliminating the costly vsriable volume ges holders now in common use. And a plant constructed according to my invention can be operated automatically with that degree of safety essential tor'commercisl use.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the appended claims, the invention itself as to its objects and advantages and the manner in which it may be carried out my be better understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrowing in which E3. 1 and Fig. la is o. view in the nature of a how diagram or leyoutofthe system according to the invention; Fig. is being in eflect a. --continuation of Fig. l but to smaller scale so that the drawing may conveniently occupy a single -My system comprises generally an acetylene enerator A, a gas piu'iiler B, e drier C, a. compressor D, a. prime mover E. such as an electric motor to drive the compressor, a high pressure ing manifold G, a pressure responsive device H, a pressure responsive device I, a pressure reguiator valve .7 and anelectric circuit; K to supply current to the motor. These parts are all conhlgher pressure with resulting increase in m; on nected by suitable pipes, connections and valves,

d n r,

end driers.

To accomplish these desirable ends and others which will eppesr from the description hereinohemicel and physicsl reactions in the as will be apparent from the drawing and following description.

The acetylene generator A may be of known design. As illustrated in the drawing. it is of the after, I provide a system which comprises a gen to stationary type to produce a continuous supply orator connected by a discharge conduit directly to a. closed and airtight purifier, which in turn is directly connected by conduit to a gas drierirom which the gas is passed throuah a conduit into a compressor and thence through the comot acetylene, wherein calcium carbide is fed from a. chamber 10 onto a feed plate II, from which it tells into a body of wateriin the chamber H;

The reaction. as is well known. generates acetyldo one gas. The gas passes through a gas driven motor l2, which operates the feed mechanism. The gas thus generated passes through a filter tank [3 and is discharged into discharge pipe M. This is a well known type of acetylene generator and further description is deemed unnecessary. In this type of generator the amount of carbide fed to the water is dependent, within certain limits, on the amount of gas drawn from the generator and the pressure in the discharge pipe l4 may be held fairly constant.

' However, I providea pressure regulator valve J, which may be adjusted to maintain a constant pressure in the pipe l5. Thus, a constant pressure may be maintained in pipe l5, irrespective of the type of generator used. This pressure regulator valve J may be of any suitable typ it being understood that the valve is one which will maintain a constant pressure in the pipe 15 irrespective of various pressures in the pipe ll on the intake side of the valve. There are a number of adjustable pressure regulator valves on the market, an the one in the drawing is shown conventionally.

expand and contract in response to variations of pressure therein. A pipe 38 connects pipe I! with the interior of the diaphragm capsules. Also connected to the diaphragm capsules is an electrical contact member ll which makes and breaks contact with contact members 42 and 43 in the The pipe I 5 is led into the purifier B. The

purifier B comprises a closed container it which has a flanged and gasket sealed cover II. It will be observed that the purifier B is not of the I water sealed type, is completely closed but for the connection to pipe l5 and the outlet pipe l8, and is designed to withstand considerable pressure. Within the purifier chamber is are foraminous trays 20 and 2| upon which may be placed a suitable porous purifying reagent 22 to remove impurities from the stream of acetylene gas passing through the system. Diatomaceous earth treated with hydrochloric acid, which is one of the well known reagents for this purpose, may be used.

The pipe 18 leads into a closed drier C, which comprises a closed container 23, providing a drying chamber, in which is disposed a plurality of trays 24 which carry a drying reagent 2!. Cal-' cium chloride, which is aknown reagent for this purpose, may be used. A pipe 26, provided with a valve 21., leads from the drying chamber to the intake side of the compressor D.

The compressor D is preferably of the multistage, water-cooled type and is driven by an electric motor E connected to the compressor by a belt 28. A discharge pipe 30, provided with a valve 29, is connected to the discharge side of the compressor D and leads to a drying battery F. This drying battery comprises a plurality of ventical chambers 3i, connected in series. Its purpose is for purging condensed water and lubricant which may be carried by the gas stream. A pipe :12, provided with a valve 33, leads to the cylinder charging manifold G, from which the compressed acetylene may be charged into the standard high pressure metal cylinders 34. The pipe 32 is also provided with auxiliary pipe 35 provided with a valve 36. The pressure gage 31 is connected for indicating the pressure at the manifold.

Connected to the conduit which carries the gas stream from the generator A to the intake side of the compressor D is a pressure responsive device H. This device is one which is responsive to the electrical circuit K, which isshown conventionally. The members 4 l, 42 and 43 represent a switch which is designated by reference character Si. It will be understood that the electrical circuit is of standard design and connected with a suit-. able source of power, as shown conventionally in the drawing at 45 and 46. This pressure responsive device H is of that type which, when the pressure to which it is responsive falls below a certain amount will contract the diaphragm capsules. Thus, for example, if the device is so set it will open the switch S1 when the pressure in pipe l5 falls below a certain amount andno current will flow in the motor circuit K, comprising the wires a, b, c, and d A pressure responsive means is. also provided in the conduit between the compressor D and the manifold G. This device, designated by the reference character I in the drawing may be of the same type as the device H, except that it is adjusted to break the motor circuit K when the. pressure in the discharge conduit 30 exceeds a 1 means is adjusted so that when'the pressure in conduit 30 exceeds a predetermined amount the switch S: which comprises members 52, 53 and i4, is opened. This switch S: will be maintained closed, as will switch S1 when the system is in normal operation.

The system may be operated as follows: It may .be assumed that carbide is fed to the water in the generator. The generated acetylene will be discharged through the pipe H, the generator being regulated so that it automatically feeds the carbide to maintain a pressure of about 10 lbs. per square inch to the regulator valve J. The regulator valve J is adjusted so that it will maintain the gas stream, pressure in pipe I5 at a constant pressure of about 1 lb. per square inch. The pressure responsive device H is adjusted in such manner that it willlmaintain the switch Si closed so long asthe pressure in pipe I! does not fall below .5 lb. per square inch. It is assumed of course that the compressor D is in operation. The gas stream then passes to the intake side of the compressor D, through the conduit between the generator and compressor, this conduit including the purifier chamber B and the drier chamber C. It may be noted here also that the conduit from the generator to the compressor is a constant volume conduit as distinguished from one which includes variable volume gas holders or variable volume purifiers.

The pressure responsive device I is so adjusted that if the pressure in conduit 30 exceeds 300 lbs.

the diaphragm capsules 5! will have expanded to break the electrical contact between the contact the discharge side of the compressor does not exceed 300 lbs. per square inch, the system will continue its normal operation. On the other hand, ii for some reason the pressure on the discharge side of the compressors should exceed 300 lbaper square inch, the motor circuit is disconnected and the compressor will be automatically stopped. Or, if for any reason there is an insufiicient supply of acetylene going to the compressor D to maintain the pressure in pipe it above .5 lb. per square inch, the pressure responsive device H will break the motor circuit by opening switch S1 and the compressor will be automatically stopped. If the compressor is stopped, such adjustments as may be necessary to eliminate the trouble may be made and the plant then put baclr into normal operation.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the system provides one that is automatic in operation and it will be apparent that the specific pressures mentioned illustrate only one set of operating conditions. If desired the pressure responsive devices I and H and the pressure regulator valve J may be selected or adjusted for sealed as holders which have been in common use in this type of stationary installation and, as

well, the water sealed purifiers which have been in common use. Therefore, no air can be sucked into the system. In that sense it is a closed system free from the hazards of formin an explosive mixtur which water seals do not satisfactorily prevent. Furthermore, the system being a closed system, may be operated at a higher pressure between the generator and compressor than is possible where water sealed chambers are used. This is an advantage in that chemical reaction with the purifying reagents is more eficient.

While a specific embodiment has been described to illustrate the invention, it will be understood that various changes, modifications, substitutions and omissions of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention comprehended by the annexed claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A system for producing acetylene which comprises a generator for generating a streamof acetylene gas, a closed chamber containing a purifying agent, a closed drying chamber containing a drying agent, a compressor, means to operate said compressor, conduits connecting said generator and chambers in series to the suction side of said compressor whereby said gas is led from said generator to said compressor in a confined stream, pressure responsive means in said system between said generator and compressor connected to stop said compressor when said gas stream between the generator and compressor falls below a predetermined pressure, a second drying chamher and a cylinder charging manifold, conduits connecting the discharge side or said compressor, said second drying chamber and said manifold-in series whereby gas compressed by said compressor is led in a confined stream to said manifold, and pressure responsive means between said compressure and manifold connected to stop said compressor when said gas stream between said compressor and manifold exceeds a predetermined pressure.

2. A system for producing acetylene which comprises a generator, having a discharge pipe, for generating a stream or acetylene gas, closed chambers one of which contains a purifying agent and another of which contains a drying agent, a compressor, means to operate said compressor, conduits connecting said generator and chambers in series to the suction side of said compressor,

a pressure regulator valve connected to said discharge pipe whereby said gas is led from said generator to said compressor in a confined stream at substantially constant pressure, pressure responsive means in said system between said gen- 3. A system for producing acetylene which 7 comprises a generator in which to generate acetylene, a closed purifier through which the acetylene passes, a conduit to carry the generated acetylene from the generator in a confined stream to said purifier, said purifier containing reagent to purify said stream of acetylene, a closed drylng chamber through which said stream passes containing a drying agent to dry the gas stream, a compressor having conduit connection to said drier, a discharge conduit connected to said compressor, a closed drying chamber connected to said discharge concluit,- a pressure responsive means operable in response to the pressure of said gas stream prior to its entry into said compressor and connected to stop the operation of said compressor at a predetermined minimum pressure and a pressure responsive means operable in response to the pressure of the gas stream discharged from said compressor and connected to stop the operation of said compressor at a predetermined maximum pressure.

a. A system for producing acetylene which comprises a generator in which to generate acetylene, said generator including a filtering means, a closed purifier through which said acetylene passes, a pipe to carry the generated acetylene in a confined stream from said generator to said purifier, said purifier containing reagent to purify said stream of acetylene, a closed drying chamber through which said stream passes containing a drying agent to dry the gas stream, a pipe to carry said stream from said purifier to said drier, a compressor, a pipe to carry said stream from said drier to said compressor, a discharge pipe connected to said compressor, a closed oil purging chamber connected to said discharge pipe, a pressure responsive means connected to one of said pipes in advance of said compressor and operable in response to the pressure therein to stop the operation of said compressor at a. predetermined minimum pressure and a pressure responsive means connected to said discharge pipe and operable in response to the pressure or compressor may be charged to high pressure cylinders, means to drive said compressor. pressure responsive means connected to said flrst conduit operative to stop said compressor when the gas stream in said first conduit falls below a predetermined pressure and pressure responsive means connected to said second conduit to stop said compressor when the gas stream in said second conduit exceeds a certain pressure.

6. A system for producing acetylene which comprises a generator for generating a stream of acetylene gas, a compressor for compressing said gas and discharging it at high pressure, a first conduit connecting with said generator and the lower pressure intake side of said compressor, said first conduit including a purifier chamber and drying chamber in series, a second conduit connected to the high pressure discharge side of said compressor from which gas compressed by said compressor may be charged to high pressure cylinders, an. electric motor connected to drive said compressor, an electrical circuit connected to drive said motor, pressure responsive means connected to said first conduit adjustable to be operative to break said circuit and stop said motor and compressor when the gas stream in said first conduit falls below predetermined pressure and pressure responsive means connected to said second conduit adjustable to-be operative to break said circuit and stop said motor and compressor when the gas stream in said second conduit exceeds a predetermined pressure.

generator and the intake side or said compressor, a cylinder charging manifold; a discharge conduit connecting said manifold and the discharge side of said compressor, an electric motor drivingly connected to said compressor, an electric circuit to supply current to said motor, a first switch in said circuit, a pressure responsive ,device connected to said constant volume conduit and operative to open said first switch when the 7. A system for producing acetylene which comprises an acetylene generator for producing a continuous stream of acetylene gas, a compressor, a, constant volumeconduit connecting said nected to said discharge conduit and operative to open said Second switch when the pressure in said discharge conduit exceeds a certain pressure.

8. A system for producing acetylene which comprises an acetylene generator for producing a,

continuous stream of acetylene gas, a compressot; a constant volume conduit connecting said generator and the intake side of said compressor. a pressure regulator valve in said constant volume conduit, a cylinder charging manifold; a discharge conduit connecting said manifold and the discharge side of said compressor, an electric motor drivingiy connected to said compressor, an electric circuit to supply current to said motor, a first switch in said circuit, a pressure responsive device connected to said constant volume conduit and operative to open said first switch when the pressure in said constant volume conduit falls below a certain pressure, a second switch in said circuit, and a pressure responsive device connected to said discharge conduit and operative to open said second switch when the pressure in said discharge conduit exceeds a certain pressure.

PETER Pm. 

